I did not like the sound of my new infinity primus 162?

[CraigV]

I'll just put in my $.02 and move on.

Whether one "believes" in speaker break in or not, comparing it to religion is simply farcical. It's supposedly based on scientific fact and should be either proven or dis-proven on that playing field. Religion is purely faith based and can neither be proven or disproven. Never the twain's shall meet.

I was merely trying to illustrate a point.

Is anyone suggesting that two different speakers with different drivers and enclosure sizes/configurations, whose measurements are identical on paper will sound the same?

 

[markw]

I was merely trying to illustrate a point.

And I was merely pointing out the fallacy of your illustration.

Is anyone suggesting that two different speakers with different drivers and enclosure sizes/configurations, whose measurements are identical on paper will sound the same?

Where did this enter into this discussion? Are you attempting to construct a straw man argument?

 

[CraigV]

And I was merely pointing out the fallacy of your illustration.

Where did this enter into this discussion? Are you attempting to construct a straw man argument?

It occurs to me that there are some on these boards who turn to measurements and data to gage how something sounds, rather than their own ears.

 

[markw]

It occurs to me that there are some on these boards who turn to measurements and data to gage how something sounds, rather than their own ears.

It occurs to me that you just continue to dig that hole into which you've put yourself.

Are you suggesting speaker break-in cannot be backed up scientifically? As the Krell know, if it can be heard, it can be measured, at least as far as this phenomena goes.

http://www.audioholics.com/education/loudspeaker-basics/speaker-break-in-fact-or-fiction

(and, yes, I did expect to just need one post in this thread to make my point!!!)

 

[Alex2507]

(and, yes, I did expect to just need one post in this thread to make my point!!!)

Get use to disappointment.

 

[CraigV]

OK, I agree it’s time to wrap this up. I would like to thank bandphan for his PM - it is very much appreciated. It’s obvious this subject matter is something I believe in strongly. Perhaps I also took some of the comments a little too personally. I believe what I believe, you believe what you believe - we agree to disagree.

My patent answers to “which amp/receiver” and “which speaker” will be:

It’s a good idea to come to a site like this & ask advice, but be prepared to get differing viewpoints. Jot down the brands/models people post and try to find somewhere where you can audition them in person. Better yet, see if you can audition them at home, as your particular room setup/décor will make a difference in overall sound, as opposed to the store. See for yourself if there’s any validity to the notion of different equipment sounding different. Listen to as many different amps/receivers/speakers as you can get your “ears” on, and decide what sounds best to you, because ultimately it’s your money and your decision.
I would also suggest going to stores, including “high end” shops when you’re not shopping for a new piece of gear. See what offerings are out there - sometimes it’s good to feed your passion just by listening to something different.

 

[Deadeye]

Soundright:
I hope you get your problem straightened out. Other posters have already given some good advice.
My advice is: Never, never, never buy a pair of speakers unless you have had a chance to hear them first. Reviews are what other people think. What matters is what you think. You just may not like the sound of those Infinity's. So be it. If you end up returning them you will have learned a good lesson. That being: Never, never, never buy a pair of speakers unless you have heard them yourself.

 

[Seth=L]

It's possible that the MP3s that where softer than the techno were ripped at a higher bitrate or used a different compression method. I've heard 320kbps MP3s that sound identical to the CD and others that sounded like garbage. Unless soundright has a method of testing the SQ of the MP3s with another set of quality speakers or quality headphones I don't believe the answer is readily available in this particular instance.

Also consider that if the output level (signal strength) of the Techno is higher than the softer music, which is likely, then the audio card may begin to clip. If there is clipping in the recording or in the output device in the computer's audio card it will cause distortion as well. I have experianced this problem with inexpensive or integrated audio cards on computers. I have also experianced this problem when patching audio through a television's audio connections.

I would suggest completely isolating the computer from the setup and test the speakers with the Onkyo receiver and a DVD player or CD player with some good cds.

 

[lsiberian]

Soundright:
I hope you get your problem straightened out. Other posters have already given some good advice.
My advice is: Never, never, never buy a pair of speakers unless you have had a chance to hear them first. Reviews are what other people think. What matters is what you think. You just may not like the sound of those Infinity's. So be it. If you end up returning them you will have learned a good lesson. That being: Never, never, never buy a pair of speakers unless you have heard them yourself.

Also never overpay. a pair of Beta 20s which IMO are superior to Primuses can be won off the harman store for around 100 with a full 5 year warranty.

But if you want a hip-hop speakers. I know MTXs are all about lots of bass.

Ugly,but they can play hip hop.

In your case consider getting 2 pairs. One for hip hop and one for others.

I think the speakers best at hip hop. Are not as good at other things.

 

[jamie2112]

I just received my new pair of infinity primus 162 speakers. I was almost certain that they will produce the sound three or four times better than the speakers at its price range since it has gotten so many raving reviews. As far as I heard about the infinity speakers, they should not require any break-in period. I played a few more laid-back songs with clean instruments first, they sound really great. That is what i expected since its mid-range is rated as one of the best. But when i start playing some of techno and hip-pop songs on them, they sound awful. The high range does not have any depth and sound the same for every note and it sounds shrill on some electronic songs. I can't feel any dynamism or a rich, room-filling sound. Some peopel say infinity speakers are usually too harsh and bright, I guess they are right and maybe I have to return these heavy speakers. Does anyone have any experience with infinity or polk speakers? Polk would be my alternative.

I myself do not like either of the choices you have in front of you. There are many folks who don't like B&W and Paradigm as well. It is all subjective to the listener to what sounds good to him or her. What do want to do? Can you take the 162's back. If so what is your REAL speaker budget? I can say from experiance that Polks sound very harsh to me from 2k to 10k. And the Infinity is harsh from 800hz to 4k IMO. I listen to alot of music and mix music for a living and I would suggest listening to as many speakers as you can before buying. If you can do a in home trial that would be best for you. I would just take the 162's back and start over if I were you.......

 

[Matt34]

Not only what Jamie said but we need to find out if the AVR he is using has any bass management abilities otherwise any bookshelf speaker regardless of brand just isn't going to cut it for the type of music he is listening to. From the looks of it he is sending a full range signal to both the subwoofer and speakers using the A/B line connections.

 

[lsiberian]

Not only what Jamie said but we need to find out if the AVR he is using has any bass management abilities otherwise any bookshelf speaker regardless of brand just isn't going to cut it for the type of music he is listening to. From the looks of it he is sending a full range signal to both the subwoofer and speakers using the A/B line connections.

This is the real issue. IMO. Not the speakers.

 

[markw]

Let's all take a step back and take a deep breath...

It's about time OP shared a little more info with us. As it stands, we're all shooting at noises in the night.

It would be nice if OP told us exactly which make and model Onkyo he's running and, while we're at it, the make and model of the subwoofer involved also.

Perhaps then some logical suggestions can be made. As it now stands, we're sniping each other and he's having a grand old time just sitting back watching the show.

Until then, I recommend a moratorium on this thread.

OK, I found on another thread where he listed his equipment. Here's what's up:

1) The receiver is a straight stereo unit. No subwoofer output. Not even a line level output. His only option to connect a subwoofer is via speaker level outputs and use the sub's crossover as a low-pass filter, which is what it seems he's done aready.

2) The sub has both line level and speaker level inputs. No outputs are offered for either so he must run the speakers full range. As mentioned above, line level is not an option so he's got it hooked up about as well as he can.

Unfortunately, the sub's lack of high pass filtering doesn't allow him to avail himself of the option of preventing lows from getting to his mains.

I would suggest he connect both the sub and the mains to the same speaker terminals in case speakers "A" and "B" are connected in series when they are both selected.

He can kerfutz with the low-pass filter and level controls on the sub but that's about all. If he can't arrive at a workable sound then, it's either the source, the speakers, or his expectations. My $$ is on either the former or the latter.

 

[krzywica]

It's about time OP shared a little more info with us. As it stands, we're all shooting at noises in the night.

It would be nice if OP told us exactly which make and model Onkyo he's running and, while we're at it, the make and model of the subwoofer involved also.

Perhaps then some logical suggestions can be made. As it now stands, we're sniping each other and he's having a grand old time just sitting back watching the show.

Until then, I recommend a moratorium on this thread.

I agree, however....

I recently snagged Matt's 5.0 Primus system that can be found here and compared them to the rig in my sig which I think sounds very good especially for what I payed for it.

I watched a few movies on the Infinities and also played some music and watched a few live concerts both Techno (Tiesto Elements DTS), and also Rock (Within Temptation - Black Symphony DTS) both of which feature very wide dynamic sound ranges.

I found the Primus's to be very good for movies. However compared to my main system I found the Primus's a bit lacking for detail and dynamics when it comes to music. Not to say that they didn't sound good, just not as detailed as my PSB's or my Cambridge towers when listening to 2 channel music. But for that price you will not find anything that is better, but you may find something that sounds better to you.

Best of luck!

 

[lsiberian]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=266-274

Try those. Use an RCA splitter on each of your outputs of your input device. Then use send one part unfiltered to the sub amp and part to the other wit the fmods in line to the stereo receiver. It's jimmy rigging, but I think it will work. This will filter out the sub 100hz from your primuses and allow you to integrate them with your subs more effectively. Then you can cross your sub at 100hz


http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/110322-reckhorn_b1_bass_management_system/

That would be a perfect fix.

 

[markw]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=266-254

Could we find a way to use these. Maybe if he splits the signal to the sub with RCA splitters and then runs those to his receivers inputs?

As long as his sub has an amp I think it would work?

The sub has a built-in low-pass filter. If anything he needs to high-pass the mains, assuming that's his problem

That sub is not really a good match if he wants/needs to high-pass the mains.

 

[lsiberian]

The sub has a built-in low-pass filter. If anything he needs to high-pass the mains, assuming that's his problem

That sub is not really a good match if he wants/needs to high-pass the mains.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=266-274

oops got the wrong filter.
Use those.

He has to start somewhere. Protecting his infinity's is a must. Then he can get a Dayton 12" or something else

 

[Deadeye]

What bit rate were the MP3 files ripped at? Is it possible that low bit rate MP3's are showing their nastiness? Just a thought.

 

[CraigV]

I myself do not like either of the choices you have in front of you. There are many folks who don't like B&W and Paradigm as well. It is all subjective to the listener to what sounds good to him or her. What do want to do? Can you take the 162's back. If so what is your REAL speaker budget? I can say from experiance that Polks sound very harsh to me from 2k to 10k. And the Infinity is harsh from 800hz to 4k IMO. I listen to alot of music and mix music for a living and I would suggest listening to as many speakers as you can before buying. If you can do a in home trial that would be best for you. I would just take the 162's back and start over if I were you.......

FWIW I have found the same to be true. Perhaps something with a fabric dome would be more to your liking.

 

[lsiberian]

What bit rate were the MP3 files ripped at? Is it possible that low bit rate MP3's are showing their nastiness? Just a thought.

We've told him this several times already

The fact is he has no bass managment and is pushing the speakers to deep. He needs to crossover the speakers with subs if he wants deep base. Stereo receivers should really only be used with full range speakers At least 3-ways or ones with large woofers IMO.